Washington Post blogger Eva Rodriguez said her jaw dropped when she heard Conyers' statement, but the fact that members of congress don't read every bill isn't all that surprising.

PostPartisan, July 28: Conyers, of course, didn't say anything we didn't already suspect. No doubt few lawmakers who voted on the $800 billion stimulus package really knew, or understood, what was contained in the hundreds of pages of text. ...In short, they should do their jobs -- even if it means losing a little shut eye or leaving a little early from that cocktail party fundraiser to bone up on details.

The Washington Times said Conyers was ignoring his fundamental responsibility as an elected official.

Times, July 29: Mr. Conyers might think it's an antiquated notion that congressmen actually read legislation, but it is the most fundamental responsibility of elected representatives to know and understand laws and how they will affect the lives of their constituents.

Fox News personality Greta Van Susteren and Republican congressman Mike Pence had a good laugh at the statement.

VAN SUSTEREN: I don't know how every other American feels, but I feel a little bit had if someone doesn't want to -- doesn't actually want to read something so important and is voting for me. You know, maybe -- maybe others feel differently.

I'm curious what's sort of being said behind the scenes, in the halls. You know, like, is it, like, Oh, my God, the American people are learning we don't read this stuff? I mean, what -- what are -- what are your colleagues saying behind the scenes?

PENCE: Well, there's...

(LAUGHTER)

PENCE: Well, there's that old joke, Republicans are worried that voters aren't going to understand what we're trying to do, Democrats are worried that voters are going to understand what they're trying to do. And look, I don't know, you know, what -- what the reason for the rush is right now.

What do you think? Should all elected officials be required to read every word of every bill they vote on?